PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed filing a police complaint against those who obstructed the demolition of the unauthorised ‘Mormugao Cha Raja’ shed at Headland-Sada, while sharply questioning the Mormugao Municipal Council’s (MMC) failure to act despite repeated court directions.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar, during the ongoing hearing of the plea by Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) on Tuesday, said it was not convinced with the MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik’s (CO) efforts to carry out the process.
“For the moment, even though we are of the belief that no earnest attempt is being made by the CO to carry out demolition, much less file a police complaint when there was obstruction to his carrying out his official duties, which he alleged in the affidavit,” the Bench ordered.
The court, however, accepted an undertaking from the CO, who was personally present before the Bench, that the demolition would be completed on or before September 30, 2026.
The affidavit assured that the demolition would be undertaken with the assistance of the demolition squad constituted under the Deputy Collector and the SDPO, South Goa.
“We accept the CO’s affidavit and direct the demolition squad to coordinate in ensuring that the offending structure is removed by September 30,” the Bench said.
The court further directed the South Goa Superintendent of Police to ensure adequate police deployment at the site and coordinate with the CO and the Deputy Collector heading the demolition squad on the date and time fixed for carrying out the demolition.
The High Court has fixed the matter for October 5 to file compliance.
